Core Courses

SYT 100 Introduction to Theology

3 Credits

The nature of theology. The relationship between theology and the following: revelation (Scripture and Tradition), spirituality and liturgy, philosophy and the human sciences. Faith and reason. The high points of theology throughout the history of the Church. The importance of theology for the Church. Theology and the teaching office of the Church. Theology and Church before and after Vatican II. Writing skills in theology.

SYT 108 The Theology of Revelation

3 Credits

(Prerequisite: SYT 100)

The modern problem of the compatibility between an authoritative divine revelation and human knowledge, freedom and experience. The development of a “theology of revelation” from Vatican I to Vatican II. Revelation and the Enlightenment. Dei Verbum. Jesus Christ as the revelation of God and humanity. Pluralism and the unity and universality of the Christ event. The Church's teaching on revelation and faith. The Christian act of faith. The question of truth and of on-going revelation.

SYT 110 Liturgical Theology

3 Credits

(Prerequisite: SYT 100)

The biblical origins of the Christian Liturgy. The development of distinct rites in the Eastern and Western Church with a special attention to the ongoing development of the Roman Rite. The theology of Liturgy as a work of the Trinity, an Action of Christ and the Church. The sanctification of the Year and the Day through the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours. The liturgical movement prior to and following the Second Vatican Council. Cultural, pastoral, and ecumenical considerations.

SYT 114 Introduction to the Sacraments and Christian Initiation

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

The sacraments of initiation. Their biblical roots and their historical and theological development in the Christian Church. Contemporary revisions, pastoral applications and ecumenical consideration.

SYT 184 Christology

3 Credits

The contemporary problematic in Christology. The claims and challenges posed by Jesus in his preaching and life. His rejection, death and resurrection. Jesus Christ as divine and human. Traditional and contemporary Christologies.

SYT 185 Theology of God

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

Aspects of the problem of God in the modern era. Preparations for belief in the Trinity in the history of Israel. The Christ event and the Trinity. The Trinity and the early Church Councils. “Explanations” of the Trinity old and new. Special questions regarding the Trinity (the Trinity and the immutability of God, creation, modern science, evil, gender, Christian worship and spirituality). Pneumatology.

SYT 187 Theological Anthropology

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

The Christian understanding of evolution and of the human person. The origin, the structure and the condition of the person in the world; the relationship of the person to God, to others and to the environment. Sin and the origin of evil. The role of grace and love. The relationship between infinite and finite freedom. Hope and the final end of the person.

SYT 188 Ecclesiology

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

The Church before and after Vatican II. The vision of the Church underlying the basic biblical images (People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit). The Church as constituted by the Word of God. The Church as constituted by the Word made flesh. The Church and holiness (including Mariology). The Church as one and apostolic. The Church and the world.

Elective Courses

SYT 200 Understanding Catholicism

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

Topics in the understanding of the Roman Catholic faith.

SYT 212 Reconciliation and the Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

Sin and conversion, sickness and healing in Scripture. The historical and doctrinal development of these sacraments within the Christian tradition. The liturgical celebration of these sacraments and the Order of Christian Funerals, together with pastoral and ecumenical considerations.

SYT 243 The Holy Eucharist

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100 and SYT 114)

A historical, scriptural, theological and liturgical study of the Eucharist, examining the development of the Church’s understanding of this Sacrament and its relation to the Pascal Mystery through five main periods: New Testament, Patristic, Scholastic, Modern and Contemporary. It reviews the emergence of the Eastern and Western rites, with special attention to the Roman Rite, examining the structure of the Eucharistic prayer and its theological underpinnings.

SYT 245 Selected Topics

3 Credits

Varied course description.

SYT 250 The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

The background to the resurrection in the Hebrew Scriptures and Intertestamental literature. The preaching of the resurrection-exaltation in the New Testament. The tomb appearance narratives. The relationship between the cross-resurrection and Trinity, the Church and Mary. The credibility of the resurrection.

SYT 255 Contemporary Issues in Christology and Theology of God

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

The Christologies of some of the major theologians: Barth, Bultmann, Pannenberg, Moltmann, Schillebeeckx, liberation theologians, Rahner, von Balthasar. Specific issues in relation to God: atheism, secularization, gender in God, the suffering of God.

SYT 257 Ecumenism

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

History of the ecumenical movement. Ecumenical dialogue between the Roman Catholic and the Eastern, Anglican and Protestant Churches. Ecumenical activities and dialogues in Canada. Models of Christian unity. Liturgical convergence. Christian-Jewish relations.

SYT 260 Key Theologians: Hans Urs Von Balthasar

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

Central themes in his theology and spirituality. Influences on his thought.

SYT 261 Key Theologians: Karl Rahner

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

Central themes in his theology and spirituality. Influences on his thought.

SYT 290 God and Humanity in Film

3 Credits

(Prerequisites: SYT 100)

An analysis and discussion of various North American and European films. The relationship between God and the human person, love and hate, good and evil, truth and falsehood, beauty and sin. A study of how film reflects or does not reflect the values of western society and/or the Church.